Method for improving the storage stability of polymer modified asphalt

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a composition and method for improving the storage stability of polymer modified asphalts. More specifically, the storage stability of an asphalt which contains greater than 1.0 wt. % polymer can be improved by adding the polymer to an asphalt which has previously been reacted with an inorganic acid. The storage stable acid treated polymer modified asphalt thus produced is particularly well suited for use as a binder in paving materials and as a coating or saturant for roofing shingles.

CROSS REF. TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 237,028, filed Aug. 29, 1988 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composition and method for improving the storage stability of polymer modified asphalts.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Asphalt is a bituminous material resulting from the distillation of crude oil. Typically, asphalt is derived from the bottoms of a vacuum distillation tower and has an atmospheric boiling point of at least 380° C. Because it is hydrophobic and has good adhesiveness and weatherability, asphalt has been used widely as a binder in paving materials and as a coating for roofing shingles.

Frequently, polymeric materials have been added to asphalt to enhance its rheological properties, i.e., to improve its creep resistance above about 20° C. Polymer modified asphalts must also have good phase compatibility between the asphalt and polymer, and be storage stable at high temperatures for ease of handling and application. Compatibility between the polymer and asphalt is very important to ensure that the properties of both are transferred to the finished product for good long term performance. Poor storage stability will render the polymer modified asphalt unsuitable for use in paving binder applications, roofing applications, and other industrial specialty products. Accordingly, various methods have been suggested for maintaining storage stability.

One method requires continuous mixing of the asphalt/polymer mixture to avoid phase separation (See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,240,946 and 4,314,921, which require high shear mixing to obtain physical dispersion of a polyolefin in bitumen. See also Transportation and Road Research Laboratory Report 1101 by J. H. Denning et. al., Highways and Structures Department, Crowthorne, Berkshire, England (1983)). Another method discloses adding one or more dispersants to a polyethylene modified asphalt to avoid phase separation (See Jew et al., Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 31, pp.2685-2704 (1986)).

In yet another method, the composition of the asphalt is tailored to ensure compatibility with the polymer used or the polymer is selected to be compatible with the asphalt (See U.S. Serial Nos. 073,813 filed June 15, 1987 and 134,954 filed Dec. 18, 1987).

In still another method, polymer modified asphalt is stabilized by the addition of an acid after the polymer has been added to the asphalt (See, for example, German patent DE 22 55 173 C3 which discloses stabilizing mixtures of asphalt and styrenic thermoplastic elastomers (styrene-butadiene-styrene) by adding small amounts of 85% o-phosphoric acid or 36% hydrochloric acid to the asphalt/SBS mixture).

However, none of these methods, alone or in combination, teach or suggest the specific method for improving the storage stability of polymer modified asphalts described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a composition and method for improving the storage stability of polymer modified asphalts. More specifically, the storage stability of an asphalt that contains greater than 1.0 wt.% of a polymer can be enhanced if the asphalt is contacted with an inorganic acid prior to adding the polymer. The resulting acid treated polymer modified product will have enhanced storage stability relative to that obtained had the acid been added with or after the polymer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The asphalt used in this invention may be obtained from a variety of sources including straight-run vacuum residue; mixtures of vacuum residue with diluents such as vacuum tower wash oil, paraffin distillate, aromatic and naphthenic oils, and mixtures thereof; oxidized vacuum residues or oxidized mixtures of vacuum residues and diluent oils; and the like. Other asphaltic materials such as coal tar pitch, rock asphalt, and naturally occurring asphalt may also be used. Typically, the asphalt will have an atmospheric boiling point of at least 380° C., more typically of at least 440° C., and an asphaltene content of between about 5 and about 30 wt.% as determined by ASTM D4124. In paving binder applications, the asphalt will typically comprise 85, preferably 90, wt.% or more of the acid treated polymer modified product (i.e., the final product). The asphalt will typically comprise 80, preferably 85, wt.% or more of the final product when it is used in roofing applications.

An inorganic acid is then contacted with, or added to, the asphalt to form an acid treated asphalt. In general, acid addition improves the temperature susceptibility of the asphalt and the stability of the acid treated polymer modified blend. However, it is critical to obtaining a product having improved storage stability that the acid not be added to the asphalt after or with the polymer. Preferably, the inorganic acid is added slowly to the asphalt to avoid foaming which may occur if all the acid were added at one time. The inorganic acid content of the asphalt is not critical, but normally should range between about 0.2 and about 5.0 wt.%, preferably between about 0.25 and about 3.0 wt.%, of the asphalt. Although a wide variety of inorganic acids can be used, the inorganic acid will preferably be selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorus pentoxide, sulfuric acid, and mixtures thereof. The term "inorganic acid" is meant to include compounds that are capable of forming an inorganic acid when contacted with the asphalt (e.g., chlorinated paraffin wax and polyvinyl chloride release hydrochloric acid when contacted with hot asphalt). Hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorus pentoxide, and mixtures thereof are preferred inorganic acids, with phosphoric acid being particularly preferred.

Following acid addition, the polymer is then added to the acid treated asphalt to form an acid treated polymer modified asphalt that has enhanced storage stability relative to the storage stability obtained if the polymer were added prior to or concurrent with the inorganic acid. However, the asphalt must contain greater than 1.0 wt.% (preferably at least 1.5 wt.% and more preferably at least 2.0 wt.%) of the polymer for the storage stability to be enhanced by acid addition. At polymer concentrations of 1.0 wt.% or less, polymer modified asphalts appear to be storage stable without acid addition. Conversely, polymer modified asphalts are believed to become increasingly less stable as the polymer concentration in the asphalt increases above 1.0 wt.%. However, the upper limit on the amount of polymer in the asphalt is not critical and can range up to 15 wt.% or more based on weight percent of the acid treated asphalt, although amounts below 15 wt.% are preferred. Therefore, the amount of polymer in the asphalt will typically range from above 1.0 to about 15 wt.% based on weight of the acid treated asphalt. Preferably, the amount of polymer in the asphalt will range from about 1.5 to about 15 wt.% and more preferably from about 2.0 to about 15 wt.%. When used as a paving binder, the acid treated polymer modified asphalt normally contains from about 4 to about 8 wt.% polymer. When used for roofing applications, the acid treated polymer modified asphalt normally contains from about 8 to about 15 wt.% polymer.

A wide variety of polymers may be used in this invention. Suitable polymers include both thermoplastics and thermosets, as defined by ASTM D 883-69 Standard Definitions of Terms Relating to Plastics, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. ASTM D 883-69 defines a thermoplastic as a polymer that can be repeatedly softened when heated and hardened when cooled. A thermoset is defined as a polymer that can be changed into a substantially infusible or insoluble product when cured by heat or by chemical means.

Examples of suitable thermoplastics include acetals (e.g., polymers and copolymers of formaldehyde), acrylics, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastics, cellulosics (such as cellulose acetate, propionate and acetate-butyrate), chlorinated polyethylene, fluorocarbons, nylon, polycarbonates, polyethylenes, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, polypropylene, polystryene, polysulfone, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidine chloride, styrene-acrylonitrile plastics, saturated polyesters, and thermoplastic elastomers of all classes including urethanes, polyesters, styrenics and olefinics. Preferred thermoplastics are polyethylene, ethylene methacrylate, ethylene-propylene elastomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate, nylon, uncured ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, and uncured thermoplastic styrenic elastomers (e.g., styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers), with ethylene methacrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, or their mixtures being most preferred.

Examples of suitable thermosets include amino resins (e.g., melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, and mixtures thereof), phenolics, polyimides, polyuretyanes, polysulfides, silicone rubbers, unsaturated polyesters, and vulcanized (i.e., cured) rubbers (e.g., natural rubbers and cured elastomers such as ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers). Preferred thermosets are polyimides, polyurethanes, and vulcanized rubbers. Most preferred are polyurethanes, cured elastomers, or their mixtures.

The particular polymers used may be readily obtained in the marketplace from various chemical suppliers. Accordingly, their methods of preparation are well known to those skilled in the art (See Encycolpedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Interscience Publishers, New York (1971); Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Wiley-Interscience, 3rd Ed., New York (1981); G. L. Kinney, Engineering Properties and Applications of Plastics, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1957); and Plastics in Building, edited by Irving Skeist, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York (1966), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference).

The conditions at which the acid and polymer are added to the asphalt are not critical and will vary with the particular asphalt and polymer used. However, the conditions will be within the ranges normally used for acid or polymer addition to asphalt. For example, acid is normally added slowly to the asphalt (typically, over a period of from about 1 to about 3 hours) at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 250° C., preferably from about 180° C. to about 210° C. Once a substantial amount (preferably all) of the acid has been added, the acid treated asphalt is mixed for an additional period of time (typically from about 0.5 to about 1 hour, although longer times could be used because no further reaction is likely to occur once all of the acid has been reacted or depleted). The polymer is then added to the acid treated asphalt at a temperature of from about 150° to about 300° C., preferably from about 175° to about 230° C. Typically, the polymer will be added over a period of from about 1.5 to about 3 hours to ensure adequate dispersal of the polymer. Although the polymer can be added over a longer period of time, it is important not to add the polymer over too short a period because the polymer could then melt and coalesce when contacted by the hot acid treated asphalt. This would slow dispersal of the polymer in the asphalt. Once polymer addition is complete, the acid treated polymer modified asphalt is mixed for an additional 0.5 to 1.5 hours or more.

The asphalt may be mixed or blended with the acid and polymer in any number of ways that can readily be selected by one skilled in the art. Suitable means include external mixers, roll mills, internal mixers, Banbury mixers, screw extruders, augers, and the like. Normally, the mixing or blending during acid and polymer addition will be at ambient pressure.

An oxygen-containing gas (such as air) may be added to the asphalt before or during acid and polymer addition if desired. However, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the gas is not added before or during either step because it would tend to produce asphaltenes, which would have a detrimental effect on the storage stability of the final product.

The acid treated polymer modified asphalt thus formed may be employed in essentially any application requiring asphalt-based products with superior storage stability. Examples of such applications include adhesives, coatings, fabricated products, road and roofing applications, sealants, sound and vibration dampening products, water proofing membranes and the like. However, the final product is particularly well suited for use as a paving binder, particularly a binder in the load bearing course as well as the top or surface course of hot mix pavement structures.

The present invention will be further understood by reference to the following Examples which are not intended to restrict the scope of the claims appended hereto. In the Examples, the storage stability of the acid treated polymer modified asphalts tested was measured by placing a 200 gram sample in a copper tube (10 inches high and 1 inch in diameter) and heating it to 160° C. for 5 days. Then the sample was removed from the tube and divided into top and bottom fractions. The viscosity of each fraction was measured at 135° C. and then used to calculate the ratio of the top to the bottom viscosity. A ratio of 1.0 is considered as optimum storage stability, with ratios above or below 1.0 representing mixtures that are increasingly less storage stable.

EXAMPLE 1 Addition of Phosphoric Acid and Ethylene - Vinyl Acetate to Asphalt

Tests were performed on several samples of a 300/400 penetration straight-run asphalt obtained from vacuum distillation. Phosphoric acid (85 wt.%) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer, each alone or in combination, were added to the samples. The temperature of the samples ranged between 190° and 200° C. at all times during the tests. The order and conditions of acid and polymer addition were varied as follows:

When acid addition preceded polymer addition, the acid was added to the asphalt over approximately a twenty minute period followed by reaction with the asphalt for about an additional thirty minutes. Polymer was then added over approximately a two to three minute period and mixed with the acid modified asphalt for from about one to about two hours.

When polymer addition preceded acid addition, the polymer was added to the asphalt over from about two to about three minutes and the mixture mixed for from about one to about two hours. Acid was then added over approximately a twenty minute period followed by reaction with the polymer modified asphalt for about an additional thirty minutes.

When the acid and polymer are added together, both were added over about a five minute period and then reacted with the asphalt for an additional hour and a half.

The asphalt was stirred during acid and polymer addition. The properties of the samples tested were determined and are shown in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                   Sample No.                                                                     1     2      3       4                                                         Unmodified                                                                           Acid Added                                                                            Polymer Added                                                                          Acid & Polymer                                            Asphalt                                                                              First  First   Added Together                              __________________________________________________________________________     Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer             EVA                                                        wt. %         0     5.0                                                        melt index, g/10 mins                                                                        --    10                                                         vinyl acetate, wt. %                                                                         --    12                                                         Asphalt, wt. %                                                                               100   94.5                                                       Penetration at 25° C.,                                                                318   318    318     304                                         mm/10                                                                          H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 (85%), wt. %                                                                0     0.5                                                        Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                  31    53     52      46                                          Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                          318   95     108     123                                         Viscosity at 60° C., Pa · S                                                  34.4  373    381     166                                         at 135° C., cSt                                                                       171   1111   862     619                                         Storage Stability                                                                            1.0   1.3    2.2     4.2                                         __________________________________________________________________________

The data in Table 1 show that the mineral acid must be reacted with the asphalt prior to addition of the polymer (Sample No. 2) to obtain the most storage stable product. If the acid is added after or with the polymer (Sample Nos. 3 and 4), the product is less storage stable.

EXAMPLE 2 Addition of Phosphoric Acid and Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene to Asphalt

Example 1 was repeated using styrene-butadiene-styrene as the polymer except that when the acid and polymer were added together, both were added over about a twenty minute period followed by reaction with the asphalt for about an additional two hours. The properties of the samples tested were determined and are summarized in Table 2.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________                   Sample No.                                                                     1     2      3       4                                                         Unmodified                                                                           Acid Added                                                                            Polymer Added                                                                          Acid & Polymer                                            Asphalt                                                                              First  First   Added Together                              __________________________________________________________________________     Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer             SBS                                                        wt. %         0     5.0    5.0     5.0                                         molecular weight                                                                             --    300 × 10.sup.6                                       wt % styrene  --    30                                                         wt % butadiene                                                                               --    70                                                         Asphalt, wt. %                                                                               100   93.2                                                       Penetration at 25° C.,                                                                318   302    302     304                                         mm/10                                                                          H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 (85%), wt. %                                                                0     1.8                                                        Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                  31    77     75      79                                          Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                          318   59     68      64                                          Viscosity at 135° C., cSt                                                             171   8640   3917    6317                                        Storage Stability                                                                            1.0   1.2    3.6     2.3                                         __________________________________________________________________________

The data in Table 2 confirm that the storage stability of acid stabilized polymer modified asphalts can be further enhanced if the acid is added before the polymer.

EXAMPLE 3 Addition of Hydrochloric Acid or its and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate to Asphalt

Using the procedure of Example 1, tests were performed on samples of a 150/200 straight-run asphalt. In one sample, only polymer was added. In two other samples, HCl (or Chlorez 760, a chlorinated wax available from Dover Chemical Corp.) was added before addition of ethylene-vinyl acetate. The properties of the samples tested were determined and are shown in Table 3.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________                   Sample No.                                                                     1     2    3     4                                                             Unmodified                                                                           Polymer                                                                             HCl Added                                                                            Chlorez 760                                                   Asphalt                                                                              No Acid                                                                             First Added First                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer             EVA                                                        wt. %         0     5.0                                                        melt index, g/10 mins                                                                        --    10                                                         vinyl acetate, wt. %                                                                         --    12                                                         Asphalt, wt. %                                                                               100   95.0 91.2  93.76                                           Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                          165   180  169   169                                             6N HCl, wt. % 0     0    3.8   0                                               Chlorez 760, wt. %                                                                           0     0    0     1.24                                            HCl Equivalent, wt. %                                                                        0     0    0.91  0.92                                            Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                  38    55   61    61                                              Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                          165   79   57    44                                              Viscosity at 60° C., Pa · S                                                  79.5  537  1848  1951                                            at 135° C., cSt                                                                       254   896  1993  2066                                            Storage Stability                                                                            1.0   2.4  1.1   0.8                                             __________________________________________________________________________

The results in Table 3 show that adding hydrochloric acid or compounds that form hydrochloric acid (e.g., Chlorez 760) to the asphalt before the polymer produces a product having enhanced storage stability relative to that obtained if no acid were added.

EXAMPLE 4 Addition of Hydrochloric Acid or its Precursors and Linear Low Density Polyethylene to Asphalt

Using the procedure of Example 1, linear low density polyethylene, alone or after hydrochloric acid or Chlorez 760, was added to samples of a 100/200 penetration straight-run asphalt. The properties of the samples tested were determined and are shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Sample No.                                                                     1      2          3                                                            Polymer                                                                               HCl        Chlorez 760                                                  No Acid                                                                               Added First                                                                               Added First                                      ______________________________________                                         Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer       Linear Low Density Polyethylene                                  wt. %         5                                                                melt index, g/10 mins                                                                        20                                                               density, g/cm.sup.3                                                                          0.924                                                            Asphalt, wt. %                                                                               95       93.76      88.2                                         Penetration at 25° C.,                                                                160      158        168                                          mm/10                                                                          6N HCl, wt. % 0        0          6.8                                          Chlorez 760, wt. %                                                                           0        1.24       0                                            HCl Equivalent, wt. %                                                                        0        0.92       1.64                                         Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                  49       57         61                                           Penetration at 25° C.,                                                                97       55         43                                           mm/10                                                                          Viscosity at 60° C.,                                                                  3338     2207       3779                                         Pa · S                                                                at 135° C., cSt                                                                       786      1989       2651                                         Storage Stability                                                                            (1)      2.3        3.1                                          ______________________________________                                          (1) Viscosity of top phase too high to measure.                          

The results in Table 4 show that the addition of hydrochloric acid or Chlorez 760 (which produces HCl at the blending conditions) to the asphalt before polyethylene addition forms a product having enhanced storage stability relative to that obtained if no acid were added.

EXAMPLE 5 Addition of Hydrochloric Acid Precursor and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate to Asphalt

Using the procedure of Example 1, Chlorez 760 and a different grade of ethylene-vinyl acetate were added to samples of a 100/200 penetration straight-run asphalt, the Chlorez 760 being added before the polymer. The properties of the samples tested were then determined and the results shown in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                                          Sample No.                                                                     1      2                                                                       Polymer                                                                               Chlorez 760                                                             No Acid                                                                               Added First                                            ______________________________________                                         Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer            EVA      EVA                                                wt. %              5        5                                                  melt index, g/10 mins.                                                                            3        3                                                  vinyl acetate, wt. %                                                                              9        9                                                  Asphalt, wt. %     95       93.76                                              Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                               190      168                                                Chlorez 760, wt. % 0        1.24                                               HCl Equivalent, wt. %                                                                             0        0.92                                               Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                       47       61                                                 Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                               99       60                                                 Viscosity at 60° C., Pa · S                                                       (1)      3511                                               at 135° C., cSt                                                                            997      2335                                               Storage Stability  4.9      1.4                                                ______________________________________                                          (1) Too high to measure.                                                 

The results in Table 5 show that an asphalt modified with other grades of EVA also has improved storage stability provided the asphalt has first been reacted with a mineral acid (HCl from degradation of the chlorinated wax at the blending temperature).

EXAMPLE 6 Addition of Hydrochloric Acid or its Precursors and Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate to Asphalt

Using the procedure of Example 1, hydrochloric acid (or Chlorez 760) and the ethylene-vinyl acetate of Example 1 were added to samples of a 100/200 penetration straight-run asphalt, with the acid (or Chlorez 760) being added first. The properties of the samples tested were then determined and the results shown in Table 6.

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________                   Sample No.                                                                     1      2      3      4      5                                                  Chlorez 760                                                                           HCl    Chlorez 760                                                                           HCl    Chlorez 760                                        Added First                                                                           Added First                                                                           Added First                                                                           Added First                                                                           Added First                          __________________________________________________________________________     Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer       EVA                                                              wt. %         5                                                                melt index, g/10 mins.                                                                       10                                                               vinyl acetate, wt. %                                                                         12                                                               Asphalt, wt. %                                                                               94.8   94.0   94.5   91.2   93.76                                Penetration at 25° C.,                                                                168                                                              mm/10                                                                          Chlorez 760 wt. %                                                                            0.2    0      0.5    0      1.24                                 6N HCl, wt. % 0      1.0    0      3.8    0                                    HCl Equivalent, wt. %                                                                        0.15   0.24   0.37   0.91   0.92                                 Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                  54     55     57     61     61                                   Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                          66     63     60     57     44                                   Viscosity at 60° C., Pa · S                                                  698    794    1090   1848   1951                                 at 135° C., cSt                                                                       1321   1464   1589   1993   2066                                 Storage Stability                                                                            2.0    1.8    1.7    1.1    0.8                                  __________________________________________________________________________

The results in Table 6 show that as the percent of acid reacted with the asphalt is increased (on an equivalent HCl basis), the storage stability is improved.

EXAMPLE 7 Effect of Polymer Concentration on Storage Stability

Example 1 was repeated at different concentrations of phosphoric acid and ethylene-vinyl acetate in which the acid was added to the asphalt before the polymer. The results obtained are shown in Table 7.

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________                   Sample No.                                                                     1   2   3     4     5   6                                        __________________________________________________________________________     Feedstock Inspections                                                          Polymer       EVA                                                              wt. %         0.5 0.5 1.0   1.0   2.0 2.0                                      melt index, g/10 mins                                                                        10                                                               vinyl acetate, wt. %                                                                         12                                                               Asphalt, wt. %                                                                               99.5                                                                               99  99    98.5  98  97.5                                     Penetration at 25° C.,                                                                309                                                              mm/10                                                                          H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 (85%), wt. %                                                                --  0.5 --    0.5   --  0.5                                      Product Inspections                                                            Softening Point, °C.                                                                  34  40  33    38    38  48                                       Penetration at 25° C., mm/10                                                          288 188 271   182   216 115                                      Viscosity at 60° C., Pa · S                                                  40  82  44    91    74  209                                      at 135° C., cSt                                                                       195 294 220   324   321 648                                      Storage Stability                                                                            1.0 1.0 1.2 (1)                                                                              1.2 (1)                                                                              1.9 1.2                                      __________________________________________________________________________      (1) An average of three measurements.                                    

The data in Table 7 show that the storage stability of a polymer modified asphalt is not enhanced by acid addition at polymer concentrations of 1.0 wt.% or less. The data also show that at polymer concentrations greater than 1.0 wt.%, acid addition prior to polymer addition enhances the storage stability of polymer modified asphalts. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving the storage stability of an asphalt that contains from above 1.0 to about 15 wt.% of a polymer which comprises(a) adding from about 0.2 to about 5 wt.% of an inorganic acid to the asphalt to form an acid treated asphalt, and thereafter, (b) adding the polymer to the acid treated asphalt to form an acid treated polymer modified asphalt which has a greater storage stability than that obtained had the acid been added with or after the polymer.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorus pentoxide, sulfuric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the acid is selected form the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein from about 0.25 to about 3 wt.% of the acid is added to the asphalt.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein from about 1.5 to about 15 wt.% of the polymer is present in the acid treated asphalt.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or their mixtures.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the thermo-plastic polymer is polyethylene, ethylene methacrylate, ethylene-propylene elastomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate, nylon, uncured ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, uncured thermoplastic styrenic elastomers, or mixtures thereof.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the thermoset polymer is polyimides, polyurethanes, vulcanized rubber, or mixtures thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1 where from about 1.5 to about 15 wt.% of the polymer is present in the asphalt.
 10. A method for improving the storage stability of an asphalt containing from above 1.0 to about 15 wt.% of a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or mixtures thereof, which comprises(a) adding from about 0.2 to about 5 wt.% of an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous pentoxide, sulfuric acid, and mixtures thereof to the asphalt to form an acid treated asphalt, and (b) adding the polymer to the acid treated asphalt to form an acid treated polymer modified asphalt that has greater storage stability than that obtained had the acid been added with or after the polymer.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the acid is hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, or their mixtures.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the acid comprises phosphoric acid.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is ethylene methacrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, or their mixtures.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the thermoset polymer is polyurethanes, cured elastomers, or their mixtures.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the acid treated polymer modified asphalt contains at least 80 wt.% asphalt and from about 8 to about 15 wt.% polymer.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the acid treated polymer modified asphalt contains at least 85 wt.% asphalt and from about 4 to about 8 wt.% polymer.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polyethylene, ethylene methacrylate, ethylene-propylene elastomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate, nylon, uncured ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, uncured thermoplastic styrenic elastomers, or mixtures thereof.
 18. The method of claim 10 wherein the thermoset polymer is polyimides, polyurethanes, vulcanized rubber, or mixtures thereof.
 19. The method of claim 10 wherein from about 1.5 to about 15 wt.% of the polymer is present in the acid treated asphalt.
 20. A method for improving the storage stability of an asphalt containing from above 1.0 to about 15 wt.% of a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or mixtures thereof, which comprises(a) adding from about 0.2 to about 5 wt.% of an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof to the asphalt to form an acid treated asphalt, and (b) adding the polymer to the acid treated asphalt to form an acid treated polymer modified asphalt that has greater storage stability then that obtained had the acid been added with or after the polymer,wherein the thermoplastic polymer is ethylene methacrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate, or their mixtures; the thermoset polymer is polyurethanes, cured elastomers, or their mixtures; and the acid treated polymer modified asphalt contains at least 80 wt.% asphalt.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the acid comprises phosphoric acid.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein from about 0.25 to about 3 wt.% of the acid is added to the asphalt.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein the acid treated polymer modified asphalt contains from about 8 to about 15 wt.% polymer.
 24. The method of claim 21 wherein the acid treated polymer modified asphalt contains at least 85 wt.% asphalt and from about 4 to about 8 wt.% polymer.
 25. The method of claim 21 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is ethylene-vinyl acetate.
 26. The method of claim 20 wherein from about 1.5 to about 15 wt.% of the polymer is present in the acid treated asphalt.
 27. The method of claim 21 wherein from about 2 to about 15 wt.% of the polymer is present in the acid treated asphalt. 